First Flight!

I'll embed the video here once it's done uploading to YouTube
Edit: Here it is!
Double Edit: Not sure why, but only 360p is available, even though I recorded and uploaded in 1080. Give it a bit, it might still be processing the higher quality versions. HD versions are up and running.

Still Preparing for Takeoff! (Post 2)

    I've not been able to use my computer for the past week or so, so I've been doing research on my three aircraft! We'll go through them in order of which I'll learn them.

Il-2

    First off, the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik, the aircraft that the simulator I'm using was named after. There was 36,183 of the built, making them the most produced military aircraft in history, and fall behind only the Cessna 172 in most produced aircraft, military and civilian. It was a Russian-built aircraft, and, according to Stalin, "Are essential to the Red Army as air and bread!"
     The aircraft filled the role of ground-attacker, they were capable of carrying over 1000lbs of bombs, as well as 100lbs+ of rockets. In addition to explosives, it also carried a 23mm auto-cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun, used for self-defense as well as ground-attack. One feature unique to the Il-2 was that it was armored. However, having traditional armor plating would make the aircraft too heavy, so the Soviets created a design where the armor not only protected the aircraft, but also acted as its frame! Normally, an aircraft is a series of spars with thin metal over it,  but the Il-2 used armor that also filled the role of the spars, making the aircraft lighter, but also armored. This extra armor earned the Il-2 the nickname "The Flying Tank."
     I'll be starting each flying goal with this aircraft, as it's the easiest to fly, it's very large wings are proof of this, as it means that there is plenty of air flowing over the wings, which in turn means that there is plenty of lift for the aircraft and pilot to utilize.

B-25

     Next, I'll be flying the popular American bomber, the B-25 Mitchell. It was a medium bomber, a happy medium between light bombers such as the SBD Dauntless, and heavy bombers such as the B-17. It was capable of carrying over 3000 pounds of bombs over 1,000, and returning home. Depending on the version, it also had 5 or more .50 calibre machine guns mounded in blisters on the nose, or in the nose itself, used occasionally for ground attack. In addition, it had a few defensive turrets to protect itself against enemy fighters.
    While it had a similar role to the Il-2 Sturmovik, the B-25 was also capable of high-altitude bombing as well as ground-attack. However, the B-25 was much bigger, therefore, it was much less maneuverable, meaning that the B-25 was not nearly as effective at ground attacking as the Il-2 was.
     While this aircraft was very easy to fly during flat, high-altitude bombing missions, it becomes a struggle while ground attacking or after taking damage. However, if the fighters escorting the bomber flight do their job correctly, it should be a very smooth flight.

    Last, but certainly not least, the famed BF-109. It is the third most-produced aircraft of all time, sitting at 33,984 fighter built. German pilots loved it, it was fast, light, climbed and dove well, and had lots of firepower. However, as WWII raged on, Germany started to loose pilots, planes, and fuel quality. Like the Japanese, the quality of the aircraft went down as the war went on, due to loss of resources. As aces were killed or captured in combat, the Luftwaffe had to replace them with with pilots fresh out of flight school. The fuel quality went down as well, causing a drop in power of German engines.

BF-109

   As for flying it, the BF-109 is very difficult. It has a high wing loading, meaning that the wings are small in comparison to the aircraft. This results in a high-speed aircraft, but one that stalls, or looses lift from the wings, very easily. However, when used correctly, it is an incredibly deadly aircraft, just as history shows.

     Well, there it is! The very basics for each aircraft I'll be using. After this past week of research, I feel prepared to take each aircraft into the air for the first time! Here's hoping that I don't end up in too many burning craters!


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Blogs commented on this week:
Josh C: Piano Improv
Dani G: Animation
Nicole T: Choreography
Abby B: Hurdling
Helen A: Mediation
Matt T: Critiquing

Preparing for Takeoff! (Post 1)

     Ever since I was a little kid, I've though planes were the coolest things ever. I mean, think about it. A chunk of metal can fly. This fascination has carried with me and grown over the years, until the point where I started flying in games, with varying levels of realism. Now, I wish to take it to the 'next level,' and start flying in a full simulator. 

     Over the next few weeks, I'll be learning how to fly various WWII aircraft, both in and out of combat situations. I'll be focusing on three aircraft, each one with a different role in the war. First, the Il-2 Sturmovik, a Soviet ground-attack aircraft. Then, the B-25 Mitchell, a all-purpose, American-made medium bomber. Finally, the BF-109, the Luftwaffe's workhorse as a fighter. Each one has its own flight characteristics, and it will be difficult to fly them. But, once I can, I'll be in a position to fly just about anything. 

     Each cycle (6 weekdays), I'll be advancing in my climb as a pilot, starting from taking off and landing, and ending with a full combat mission, takeoff to landing. Each cycle will build off the skills refined in the previous one, allowing for a gradual build up of changeling, rather then immediately jumping into the furball. 

     As for resources, there are plenty out there. There's gun cam footage that I can use in order to look at exactly how an aircraft flies, look at documents for further documentation, and even interviews with veterans. In addition, there Sun Tzu's Art of War, which is designed for ground combat, but still applies to air combat. There's also the Dicta Boelck, which is very short, but gives a list of definite rules for Arial engagements. 

    I'm excited for this! It's going to be a challenge for sure. For each cycle, I'll be starting with the Sturmovik, as it's the easiest to fly, and finishing with the BF-109, which would be the most difficult to fly because it means fighting against other aircraft. Will I soar, or end up a piece of burnt metal on the ground? Only one way to find out!